tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29839138864534041732017-08-11T23:22:18.184+08:00Life in BruneiThis blog is about The Watson Family adventures in Brunei and elsewhere. Enjoy!MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.comBlogger2909125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-89234368203131554712014-03-17T12:24:00.000+08:002014-03-21T01:38:03.575+08:00♥ ♥ ♥ So, we finally reached it, our last day in the Abode of Peace.<br />When this is published, we are probably just about take off from Brunei International Airport, to embark on our next adventure in our new home country. As our life here in Brunei is coming to an end, so is also this blog... This will be my very last post at 'Life in Brunei'.<br /><br />(<i>Do follow us on <b><a href="http://watsonabudhabi.blogspot.com/">here</a></b> instead!</i>)<br /><br /><b>Thank you Brunei</b> and all your people for 6 1/2 fantastic years, it's been a blast!<br />We will always keep very warm memories of our time here.<br />So long Brunei. ♥ ♥ ♥MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-66049174662559613522014-03-17T11:52:00.000+08:002014-03-21T23:54:51.566+08:00Departure day...It's funny, I must have anticipated this day so much, and taken out all the sorrow in advance - because today was actually not too bad. <i>Some</i> tears yes, but not as bad as I had thought. It was just a really lovely send off.<br /><br />It was a bit of a shame that we had to leave Brunei on a SQ flight (<i>rather than a RBA flight</i>), but as the tickets were organised for us, we had no choice. On the upside, it didn't depart until just after lunch time, so we could get up and have breakfast at our own pace, and then Peter had organised the hotel car to take us to the airport.<br /><br />Isabel and Nicole had both brought the kids to see us off, and one of Lucas' friends, Kester, came along too, which was really nice. At least we got to check in this last time, in the <i>new</i> terminal!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NoCHjyk7iQ/Uysoz5CiG9I/AAAAAAAAZSA/7DiiYQtw25U/s3200/IMG_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NoCHjyk7iQ/Uysoz5CiG9I/AAAAAAAAZSA/7DiiYQtw25U/s3200/IMG_0037.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KszpW6e7nqM/Uyso1nZWnsI/AAAAAAAAZSI/nitVb2PwDrE/s3200/IMG_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KszpW6e7nqM/Uyso1nZWnsI/AAAAAAAAZSI/nitVb2PwDrE/s3200/IMG_0038.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xI2COr0Kuw/Uyso17sU_RI/AAAAAAAAZSM/dK-SAVgMp8o/s3200/IMG_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xI2COr0Kuw/Uyso17sU_RI/AAAAAAAAZSM/dK-SAVgMp8o/s3200/IMG_0041.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1q6h7Ych9UE/Uysozwamj4I/AAAAAAAAZR8/gUMFbd_bTaY/s3200/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1q6h7Ych9UE/Uysozwamj4I/AAAAAAAAZR8/gUMFbd_bTaY/s3200/IMG_0039.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEqlBlthy1I/Uyso3xoBl7I/AAAAAAAAZSo/fYdMJ1k7XC8/s3200/IMG_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEqlBlthy1I/Uyso3xoBl7I/AAAAAAAAZSo/fYdMJ1k7XC8/s3200/IMG_0042.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b--JAceVHiM/Uyso5J36kCI/AAAAAAAAZSw/sL9TWhua7OE/s3200/IMG_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b--JAceVHiM/Uyso5J36kCI/AAAAAAAAZSw/sL9TWhua7OE/s3200/IMG_0044.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />The Ferans had made us this lovely sign, no one could miss that we were leaving, for good:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjCStz7u_gg/Uyso26FTStI/AAAAAAAAZSU/pUqnJqi8jgg/s3200/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjCStz7u_gg/Uyso26FTStI/AAAAAAAAZSU/pUqnJqi8jgg/s3200/IMG_0040.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the goodbyes, it was also time for one last visit to the airside Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf. Yes, all smiles by then - it was <b>such</b> a nice feeling to actually be on our way, finally..! Goodbye Brunei.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjG4MhhhoiA/Uyso61lyASI/AAAAAAAAZTA/637FhpdUewc/s3200/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjG4MhhhoiA/Uyso61lyASI/AAAAAAAAZTA/637FhpdUewc/s3200/IMG_0046.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-79278517584558905552014-03-16T21:21:00.001+08:002014-03-16T21:21:50.269+08:00This is itOne more sleep.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I have so many photos from the last few days, both on my phone and on the camera.&nbsp;</div><div>We truly have had the best last days, and I will backdate some blog posts as soon as I've unpacked the computer again.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>For now, we are ready for our new adventure.&nbsp;</div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-26361744448768609562014-03-16T20:30:00.000+08:002014-03-21T23:53:08.539+08:00Our last dayThere was nowhere else I wanted to be on our last day in Brunei than at the Yacht Club.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoYhhyw1OcI/UyxcfmNyuxI/AAAAAAAAZTY/uhh3FrsDSjU/s3200/IMG_4445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoYhhyw1OcI/UyxcfmNyuxI/AAAAAAAAZTY/uhh3FrsDSjU/s3200/IMG_4445.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>The Yacht Club has truly been our second home during our time here. The kids and I have spent nearly every weekend up there, with or without Nathan - chilling out, swimming, playing, relaxing. It's been the perfect place to be, since there was always somebody there for the kids to play with and someone there for me to talk to - without having to arrange playdates etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, it's the only place where you could afford to hang the whole day, and have both breakfast, lunch and dinner - without breaking the bank; and the food has always been good too!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>So, before today, I had told everyone left in Brunei (<i>since it's school holidays, most people have left the country already</i>), that we were going to be at the Yacht Club between 12 and about 6pm. So anyone free and keen, could come there and say goodbye.</div><div>I would've loved for the kids to have had a proper send-off with a <b>proper</b> goodbye party, but since most of their friends are not here, we decided to just do it this way. They had a fantastic afternoon with a big group of friends, running about, burying each other in the sand, playing football, swimming etc.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY-ypZK3vtc/UyxcfK9bqPI/AAAAAAAAZTU/HFVIevLWTHM/s3200/IMG_4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY-ypZK3vtc/UyxcfK9bqPI/AAAAAAAAZTU/HFVIevLWTHM/s3200/IMG_4444.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXnmwvL2hWg/Uyxck8JJ2rI/AAAAAAAAZTs/9DWoPB88iKs/s3200/IMG_4448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXnmwvL2hWg/Uyxck8JJ2rI/AAAAAAAAZTs/9DWoPB88iKs/s3200/IMG_4448.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2fp7wxVZPM/Uyxcob2p0lI/AAAAAAAAZT8/v--UW7CQqxg/s3200/IMG_4450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2fp7wxVZPM/Uyxcob2p0lI/AAAAAAAAZT8/v--UW7CQqxg/s3200/IMG_4450.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn1P0a_P9jI/UyxclwPb--I/AAAAAAAAZT0/9pRHs5E83dk/s3200/IMG_4453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn1P0a_P9jI/UyxclwPb--I/AAAAAAAAZT0/9pRHs5E83dk/s3200/IMG_4453.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XItbB7694t4/UyxcpbNeyfI/AAAAAAAAZUE/zIy5TiGwL0w/s3200/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XItbB7694t4/UyxcpbNeyfI/AAAAAAAAZUE/zIy5TiGwL0w/s3200/IMG_4455.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I had a lovely day too, chatting away with good friends who came by.&nbsp;</div><div>I had to think long and hard about my very last meal (...), and I really did try to take as many mental snap shots as I could, to remember this very feeling...&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6FtmJX9RAM/Uysj-Sy7jyI/AAAAAAAAZRY/dB2NoLVigWU/s3200/IMG_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6FtmJX9RAM/Uysj-Sy7jyI/AAAAAAAAZRY/dB2NoLVigWU/s3200/IMG_0030.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPcl4ngemr4/Uysj8QFoEsI/AAAAAAAAZRE/Zn2vR5sVn1M/s3200/IMG_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPcl4ngemr4/Uysj8QFoEsI/AAAAAAAAZRE/Zn2vR5sVn1M/s3200/IMG_0028.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtdHbt9wd80/Uysj8rUhLkI/AAAAAAAAZQ8/hKWlcP6GeZc/s3200/IMG_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtdHbt9wd80/Uysj8rUhLkI/AAAAAAAAZQ8/hKWlcP6GeZc/s3200/IMG_0029.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wY9kKrL78_I/Uysj_xWl8nI/AAAAAAAAZRs/DfE8Vw-7dGY/s3200/IMG_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wY9kKrL78_I/Uysj_xWl8nI/AAAAAAAAZRs/DfE8Vw-7dGY/s3200/IMG_0034.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UJaWe397vM/Uysj-VXrnAI/AAAAAAAAZRU/vNHOjP2oIFA/s3200/IMG_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UJaWe397vM/Uysj-VXrnAI/AAAAAAAAZRU/vNHOjP2oIFA/s3200/IMG_0031.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uv5BL40F_Q/Uysj-_EDIKI/AAAAAAAAZRc/Kcc8ciIYHcI/s3200/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uv5BL40F_Q/Uysj-_EDIKI/AAAAAAAAZRc/Kcc8ciIYHcI/s3200/IMG_0033.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXivXKBP_gc/Uysj8VRFE3I/AAAAAAAAZRA/PMjVBp7h-3s/s3200/IMG_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXivXKBP_gc/Uysj8VRFE3I/AAAAAAAAZRA/PMjVBp7h-3s/s3200/IMG_0027.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Yacht Club... there was no other way we could have finished our time in Brunei... Goodbye YC.<br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOw6bizIFw8/UyxcfMu26qI/AAAAAAAAZTc/LBLavt18BQI/s3200/IMG_4447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOw6bizIFw8/UyxcfMu26qI/AAAAAAAAZTc/LBLavt18BQI/s3200/IMG_4447.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br />I ❤️ Brunei.</div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-88084017336957649942014-03-15T11:23:00.000+08:002014-03-21T23:55:07.569+08:00Bye RhodaLots and lots of goodbyes. This morning we went back to the house to do a walk-through with the landlord's representative and the new tenants, and give the keys back. Goodbye house, a bit sad. Also we said goodbye to our Amah, Rhoda.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Rhoda has been with us for six years, almost all the time we've been here, so she's seen the kids grow up. There was tears all around saying goodbye...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UULsDa2GemI/UysHR5hfRZI/AAAAAAAAZPA/1vabEm4YUpE/s3200/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UULsDa2GemI/UysHR5hfRZI/AAAAAAAAZPA/1vabEm4YUpE/s3200/IMG_0015.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Rhoda is going to a new family, and we can only hope we will find someone just as good in Abu Dhabi. She has looked after us really well. Goodbye Rhoda.</div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-57203710749457645032014-03-14T13:10:00.000+08:002014-03-21T23:53:43.847+08:00All gone!Since I know I most of my readers are from Brunei (!) - I will tell them all this:<br /><div>Please make a note for when you are leaving Brunei, about this moving company we used - I can't recommend them enough:<b> LM Express</b>. They have been absolutely <b>excellent</b>!</div><div>Three of them came right on time agreed on Tuesday, and went through the house with such efficiency that they had it all packed up in less than five hours (<i>including lunch break</i>)! They then weighed it all to give me a good idea of where I was with the allowance, came back Wednesday morning to label and wrap it all, and <i>this</i> morning they came back to ship it off to the airport to go on the DXB flight tonight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Initially I had three different companies come around to give me a quote and out of all of them Winston, from LM Express, was the only one "getting it", understanding our plans and our needs. He was truly fantastic, and super professional.</div><div>In the end, I ended up with 50 boxes/units (<i>we came with 72!</i>), and I was right on target for our allowance, all thanks to Winston. I left behind only four plastic bags (<i>with photo albums, memorabilia and other irreplaceable things</i>), one of Nathan's bikes and the Christmas tree - which Jeremy will bring when he comes up to Dubai, one bag at a time; the advantage of knowing airline pilots! :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESXWcNyUZD8/UysQH75Bu1I/AAAAAAAAZPQ/5KCD1La4eJ0/s3200/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESXWcNyUZD8/UysQH75Bu1I/AAAAAAAAZPQ/5KCD1La4eJ0/s3200/IMG_0006.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_G51OQsM74/UysQJhEcXJI/AAAAAAAAZPg/APkK0EwK1do/s3200/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_G51OQsM74/UysQJhEcXJI/AAAAAAAAZPg/APkK0EwK1do/s3200/IMG_0007.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;It was a bit sad to walk around the house after the shipping had gone... So empty... :(<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9roMP_vmszc/UysQKkbLiDI/AAAAAAAAZPs/-NKJTx6z8Wg/s3200/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9roMP_vmszc/UysQKkbLiDI/AAAAAAAAZPs/-NKJTx6z8Wg/s3200/IMG_0011.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1SduvymiCk/UysRachovuI/AAAAAAAAZQk/aTeHk-UtKvk/s3200/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1SduvymiCk/UysRachovuI/AAAAAAAAZQk/aTeHk-UtKvk/s3200/IMG_0013.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkI0r8GlUOg/UysRX3h63uI/AAAAAAAAZQA/KswcJJKjcvI/s3200/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkI0r8GlUOg/UysRX3h63uI/AAAAAAAAZQA/KswcJJKjcvI/s3200/IMG_0008.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKmCH59pOzA/UysRZvHbOmI/AAAAAAAAZQQ/TbsG2a6BqME/s3200/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKmCH59pOzA/UysRZvHbOmI/AAAAAAAAZQQ/TbsG2a6BqME/s3200/IMG_0012.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll miss this view from my breakfast table, so much...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJi48zZZyJU/UysRcKyP5VI/AAAAAAAAZQo/xl_MuVLHi-E/s3200/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJi48zZZyJU/UysRcKyP5VI/AAAAAAAAZQo/xl_MuVLHi-E/s3200/IMG_0014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a very good home and we will miss it, but I'm glad someone I know is moving in to look after it for us. Goodbye house.</div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-29821028408159194392014-03-14T12:50:00.000+08:002014-03-21T23:54:28.546+08:00Last day at JISThe kids had a lovely last day at school. They got to bring cookies for their friends, with the UAE flag on them:<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXMFFvA-wXU/UyxfI-Yu_QI/AAAAAAAAZU8/mItjl2qE3Ek/s3200/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXMFFvA-wXU/UyxfI-Yu_QI/AAAAAAAAZU8/mItjl2qE3Ek/s3200/IMG_0002.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZhIQUi6yS0/UyxfI2V785I/AAAAAAAAZU4/cpkkiN-zHFQ/s3200/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZhIQUi6yS0/UyxfI2V785I/AAAAAAAAZU4/cpkkiN-zHFQ/s3200/IMG_0017.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I also had cookies with me, because my group of little Zumba Stars were set to perform in their Pre-Prep Assembly:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiEIKuxjmKk/UyxfHTMOnxI/AAAAAAAAZUo/hGZrMANzEzY/s3200/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiEIKuxjmKk/UyxfHTMOnxI/AAAAAAAAZUo/hGZrMANzEzY/s3200/IMG_0001.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The signing of the shirts started already in the morning...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOBFWO8d6GE/UyxfI1NRTOI/AAAAAAAAZVE/dfmNquPCYVw/s3200/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOBFWO8d6GE/UyxfI1NRTOI/AAAAAAAAZVE/dfmNquPCYVw/s3200/IMG_0005.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>... and when I came to pick them up, they looked liked this!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ra-2eJfY1M/UyxeXufvk3I/AAAAAAAAZUg/VABzGTf8uZE/s3200/IMG_4442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ra-2eJfY1M/UyxeXufvk3I/AAAAAAAAZUg/VABzGTf8uZE/s3200/IMG_4442.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCH9_jGH_ts/UyxeTsVNAiI/AAAAAAAAZUQ/UslFFV80B0M/s3200/IMG_4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCH9_jGH_ts/UyxeTsVNAiI/AAAAAAAAZUQ/UslFFV80B0M/s3200/IMG_4440.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Linnea had also got a lovely laminated message from all her class, just like Lucas did last week:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RF-CQvgPlZU/UyxeWGc5xvI/AAAAAAAAZUY/vzwJi7GKo4U/s3200/IMG_4441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RF-CQvgPlZU/UyxeWGc5xvI/AAAAAAAAZUY/vzwJi7GKo4U/s3200/IMG_4441.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;A lovely way to finish off their time in JIS! Goodbye JIS.MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-39921858917919357862014-03-13T21:02:00.004+08:002014-03-13T21:23:03.517+08:00Lots of lastsThere is <b>so</b> many lasts at the moment, but I think I've finally reached that somewhat numb state, where I just want it to be over with soon. I haven't shed any tears at all the last few days! Everything going on is all nice things though, so I'm enjoying each day at the moment, to the <b>max</b>!<br /><br />Thanks to the packing being done in only one day, I got some extra time this week to see some friends for some special lasts: I had a last roti with Beenal yesterday for lunch, last sushi with the kids last night, last nail appointment with lovely foot scrub and yummy lunch at Saffron with Anna today and last pizza making at Sorriso with the Roberts tonight.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNqMIChxB3A/UyGg65WFKeI/AAAAAAAAZOE/bjNmawTF4zo/s1600/IMG_6172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNqMIChxB3A/UyGg65WFKeI/AAAAAAAAZOE/bjNmawTF4zo/s1600/IMG_6172.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiXVvjHkp4A/UyGhAuvmGWI/AAAAAAAAZOM/VAOURSoZojs/s1600/IMG_6174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiXVvjHkp4A/UyGhAuvmGWI/AAAAAAAAZOM/VAOURSoZojs/s1600/IMG_6174.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjIuGNywWOo/UyGg1JjwIRI/AAAAAAAAZN8/U4HmNgcp5EI/s1600/IMG_6175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjIuGNywWOo/UyGg1JjwIRI/AAAAAAAAZN8/U4HmNgcp5EI/s1600/IMG_6175.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7SKl4XUJes/UyGhLIt7fEI/AAAAAAAAZOU/nn2h3RJ_UAE/s1600/IMG_6178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7SKl4XUJes/UyGhLIt7fEI/AAAAAAAAZOU/nn2h3RJ_UAE/s1600/IMG_6178.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />I've also managed to finish up all the different jobs I had this week: I've picked up the Leaving Certificates from school, I've closed down all our different accounts (Astro, phone line etc etc) and collected all our deposits, and banked them. Only have one more thing to cancel, and that'll be tomorrow. I've organized and given away the last few things left in the house, so now it's all empty.<br /><br />The packing was all done Tuesday, the boxes all got labeled and wrapped yesterday and tomorrow the moving guys will come and pick it all up to take it to the airport. It sure doesn't look like much when your whole home gets packed down:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfE56aqtSi4/UyGrRMIBgsI/AAAAAAAAZOk/Gkap3ENf4lw/s1600/IMG_6168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfE56aqtSi4/UyGrRMIBgsI/AAAAAAAAZOk/Gkap3ENf4lw/s1600/IMG_6168.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />The approximate weigh-in said that I'm at 1314kg (<i>we're allowed 1310!</i>), so I'm feeling pretty darn proud of myself! <br />I sure feel like I can breathe a little bit easier now, aahh...MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-39784808710544305202014-03-11T23:02:00.000+08:002014-03-11T23:02:31.958+08:00Emergency!While at the hash tonight I got this text from my son:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWfLh2O6JRA/Ux8MXd34tvI/AAAAAAAAZLA/Fal9QAoK8Ao/s1600/funnytext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWfLh2O6JRA/Ux8MXd34tvI/AAAAAAAAZLA/Fal9QAoK8Ao/s1600/funnytext.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div><br />He obviously didn't notice until bedtime, that the whole house had been packed down..! :DMrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-42791760099566094612014-03-11T22:58:00.003+08:002014-03-11T23:01:22.624+08:00My last H3 hashMy last hash with the Hen House Harriers here in Brunei was the St Patricks Day run at Lower Diplo. I got kitted out with the traditional last-run-bells, and off we went.<br />Anna and I, and me together with some of the Loan Service girls:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7N3x30kZSsg/Ux8h7jf2OOI/AAAAAAAAZLQ/a-3qwhJGAJ0/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7N3x30kZSsg/Ux8h7jf2OOI/AAAAAAAAZLQ/a-3qwhJGAJ0/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz6z-fk0j0c/Ux8ioFeNpBI/AAAAAAAAZNk/99ty98vQzMQ/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz6z-fk0j0c/Ux8ioFeNpBI/AAAAAAAAZNk/99ty98vQzMQ/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8GT1ib8RS4/Ux8h8YsLh3I/AAAAAAAAZLg/TZFson3L9vY/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8GT1ib8RS4/Ux8h8YsLh3I/AAAAAAAAZLg/TZFson3L9vY/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3maArZxML4/Ux8h-VsD2BI/AAAAAAAAZLw/ohsy3B0ErUQ/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3maArZxML4/Ux8h-VsD2BI/AAAAAAAAZLw/ohsy3B0ErUQ/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />It was a really nice run, with a few rather deep water crossings and a few challenging hills. I liked it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UP_981iJJbo/Ux8h9Z6HTCI/AAAAAAAAZLk/uuKNCauoCIc/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UP_981iJJbo/Ux8h9Z6HTCI/AAAAAAAAZLk/uuKNCauoCIc/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1sAgHjrjz9A/Ux8iAd8gb8I/AAAAAAAAZMA/Kii33n8f45M/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1sAgHjrjz9A/Ux8iAd8gb8I/AAAAAAAAZMA/Kii33n8f45M/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Anna signing me out for the very last time, after <b>211</b> runs!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-srE1yoBTcag/Ux8h_vKm88I/AAAAAAAAZL4/fVsxAvgV2tI/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-srE1yoBTcag/Ux8h_vKm88I/AAAAAAAAZL4/fVsxAvgV2tI/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Who's that?? We got photo bombed!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rk-lO3by_k/Ux8iAdhmEsI/AAAAAAAAZME/I9_q7w2EiGE/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rk-lO3by_k/Ux8iAdhmEsI/AAAAAAAAZME/I9_q7w2EiGE/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RadK357BWDQ/Ux8iBY2yvsI/AAAAAAAAZMQ/ZzbWv8Jq7JE/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RadK357BWDQ/Ux8iBY2yvsI/AAAAAAAAZMQ/ZzbWv8Jq7JE/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />So the on-on went in green, for St Patricks Day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXGDPK-hTvI/Ux8iC_1709I/AAAAAAAAZMc/l8cduMIlhb4/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXGDPK-hTvI/Ux8iC_1709I/AAAAAAAAZMc/l8cduMIlhb4/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Some people had dressed up a litte bit more than others... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKAGjqGXtuI/Ux8iDclqyeI/AAAAAAAAZMo/AdatFZ8yFoo/s1600/IMG_0457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKAGjqGXtuI/Ux8iDclqyeI/AAAAAAAAZMo/AdatFZ8yFoo/s1600/IMG_0457.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAUt53wzXDk/Ux8iCxEd1WI/AAAAAAAAZMY/d2XOq2aNj7Q/s1600/IMG_0458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAUt53wzXDk/Ux8iCxEd1WI/AAAAAAAAZMY/d2XOq2aNj7Q/s1600/IMG_0458.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />This girl Kate did her first hash, on my last! Quite funny since she is one of these people who had read most of my blog before coming, and I knew her from a few emails we exchanged:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MQSkazgx-U/Ux8iFCZedcI/AAAAAAAAZM8/fHA_rDv5xGY/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MQSkazgx-U/Ux8iFCZedcI/AAAAAAAAZM8/fHA_rDv5xGY/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />I got a nice canvas as a farewell gift, filled with photos from my many hashes. They had been very clever considering the packing, and hadn't framed it! Phew.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU39JgSFO7Y/Ux8iEedft-I/AAAAAAAAZMw/aRn_BPb_U7E/s1600/IMG_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU39JgSFO7Y/Ux8iEedft-I/AAAAAAAAZMw/aRn_BPb_U7E/s1600/IMG_0460.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxS4e24sFIo/Ux8iFGDJKrI/AAAAAAAAZM4/Nb_iMeNWakU/s1600/IMG_0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxS4e24sFIo/Ux8iFGDJKrI/AAAAAAAAZM4/Nb_iMeNWakU/s1600/IMG_0463.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eptxw9FmfU8/Ux8iFvTY2aI/AAAAAAAAZNQ/nW5w2LvyXA8/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eptxw9FmfU8/Ux8iFvTY2aI/AAAAAAAAZNQ/nW5w2LvyXA8/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />For my last hash meal in the Borneo jungle, I enjoyed some delicious vegetable curries. It was a really lovely evening, <b>such</b> a good hash to end on! Thank you all the girls of H3, I'll be missing you and my Tuesday nights!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSR_BviON1c/Ux8iGTqR_7I/AAAAAAAAZNI/LO4wW9b561g/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSR_BviON1c/Ux8iGTqR_7I/AAAAAAAAZNI/LO4wW9b561g/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-57194267691564794062014-03-11T12:53:00.001+08:002014-03-11T12:53:19.893+08:00Here we go!!Packing day!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI3cX-YXGvc/Ux6U5o9gKgI/AAAAAAAAZKo/wonikjiFZW0/s1600/IMG_6141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI3cX-YXGvc/Ux6U5o9gKgI/AAAAAAAAZKo/wonikjiFZW0/s1600/IMG_6141.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWHnFRBX01s/Ux6VCCL2wPI/AAAAAAAAZKw/yyWdArfISSA/s1600/IMG_6147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWHnFRBX01s/Ux6VCCL2wPI/AAAAAAAAZKw/yyWdArfISSA/s1600/IMG_6147.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><br />I had the packers boss around yesterday for some last minute queries I had - and he was so, so impressed with my preparations! He thought I was super organized, and that would make it easy for them to pack. (<i>That's Swedish efficiency for you!</i>)<br />They've only been here four hours, but are already done with downstairs. They are also super efficient, they must have done this before..! ;)<br />Now they are having lunch, but I think they will probably finish the whole thing today already, which is good. It'll give us some extra time to fine tune the weight, and I will have a few extra days for other jobs, and maybe some leasurely lunches even!MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-42477461771386522702014-03-10T19:03:00.001+08:002014-03-11T12:55:52.532+08:00The bare necessitiesWe only had a 900kg allowance when we came here from the UK in 2007. Our friends that had gone out here before us told us: "Don't worry, just pack what you want, they won't check it". So we did, and went over with nearly 300kg... - <b>and</b> of course we were the only ones that had to pay (massively!) for the overweight... Bummer.<br /><br />So when we came here, we decided we were going to leave with a container, so we would not have to think more about limiting our packing, ever.<br />Well... as it turns out, we actually didn't <i>want</i> to bring much of the furniture we had bought whilst here. A lot of it was IKEA stuff that can be replaced, some was made to measure by a local carpenter, some was broken or worn down and some just not our taste anymore.<br />Plus, initially when we had decided to leave, we didn't know what kind of house we were going to get. Maybe our furniture wouldn't fit, or be the same style, so we quickly decided to start selling it all off. Leaving here, our allowance is now 1300kg. It's still not an awful lot.<br /><br />I have been <b>super</b> organized though when it comes to our packing. The very day Nathan resigned, we had some friends around for drinks, and when they heard we weren't planning to take anything, they immediately put their names down for different pieces of furniture!<br />I then made a list of all the big stuff, furniture, carpets, curtains etc, and sent it out to our friends, and nearly all of it got booked straight away! I might have under priced myself on a few things, but rather that than standing with it all in the last minute. Plus I know it's all going to good homes! :)<br /><br />We actually also found new tenants for the landlord, Beenal and her family will move in when we are gone. The landlord was really happy about that, and I could sell some Beenal some of the "fixed" things in the house, like our fridge, mounted shelves, our desks, curtains etc.<br /><br />Finally, I've used this local FB page for selling most of the other stuff we're not bringing. As we are trying to keep the weight down, I've sold the most weird and wonderful things off. Some of them will have to be replaced of course, but I also realized how much stuff we had, that we never really used!<br />I've sold <b>everything</b>, from used pots, dress-ups, tools, bed sheets, toys, photo frames, fake plants, carpets and electronics to iPhones, computers, golf clubs, scrapbook stuff, kitchen things, bags, storage boxes and nail polish etc etc etc. <b>Everything</b>! Now I'm down to only our bare necessities.<br /><br />Of course I've sold all the things very cheap, but it all adds up in the end and I've made a good amount of money for us to start over with in Abu Dhabi. I'm so grateful this FB page exists, it's really been a huge help for us. <br />I really do hate waste, so if what I don't need anymore can be useful for someone else, win-win!<br />I also have donated many boxes of clothes and other things, and there will be more just before I go. It feels good knowing that everything I leave behind will come to good use somewhere else.<br /><br />This is the third time I'm properly moving country (<i>as in moving a whole home/house, previously it was just me and my two suitcases!</i>), the second as a family.<br />Moving from DK to UK we brought a truck over, so we could bring nearly whatever. We had a two bedroom apartment then, and I did all the packing myself.<br />Moving from the UK to here as I said, we only had 900kg, ended up bringing about 1100, and I did all the packing myself. We came from a four bedroom house, and we were a four person family.<br />Moving from here to Abu Dhabi, we have 1300kg, I'm not doing the final packing this time as that's included in our shipping fees this time, but I'm doing everything else. <br />I'm thinking next time we move anywhere - we <b>are</b> taking a container...MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-19582522941062633312014-03-10T12:20:00.000+08:002014-03-10T19:03:01.079+08:00One week ・Seven Days ・168 hours ・10080 minutesOk, so we are down to our <i><b>last</b></i> week. Exactly. This time next week we should be taking off, for good.<br />I'm so busy that I don't even have time to think anymore.<br />Today and tomorrow is absolutely CRAZY with last minute things. Wednesday the packers come in and maybe Friday, maybe - I can exhale, just a little bit...<br />Wish me luck.MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-11946118604647517792014-03-10T11:51:00.002+08:002014-03-10T15:14:00.371+08:00JayThis gorgeous little baby of mine is going to his new family today. I'm really sad we have to leave him behind, but I'm so glad that we've found a good family for him and I'm sure he will continue to have a really happy life with them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZROGPfr9uk/Ux0ucr4P33I/AAAAAAAAZJk/kMPROa6E-rU/s1600/IMG_5964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZROGPfr9uk/Ux0ucr4P33I/AAAAAAAAZJk/kMPROa6E-rU/s1600/IMG_5964.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_FUrRP4LI4/Ux0utzrC7EI/AAAAAAAAZJ0/vsYJZyVcifI/s1600/IMG_6107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_FUrRP4LI4/Ux0utzrC7EI/AAAAAAAAZJ0/vsYJZyVcifI/s1600/IMG_6107.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />He has been <b>such</b> a good and well-behaved dog since his brother died. He has been spending a lot more time inside, and has really shown his true colours being very calm, loyal and social. He loves, loves, loves the cuddles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuxN3bJUVYQ/Ux0urervSZI/AAAAAAAAZJs/8knNekO8g4M/s1600/IMG_5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuxN3bJUVYQ/Ux0urervSZI/AAAAAAAAZJs/8knNekO8g4M/s1600/IMG_5991.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ve21ZpXV3Q/Ux0u04gEnpI/AAAAAAAAZJ8/53z0dB8gtX8/s1600/IMG_5992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ve21ZpXV3Q/Ux0u04gEnpI/AAAAAAAAZJ8/53z0dB8gtX8/s1600/IMG_5992.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Because he is going to a family who has also just taken on a little puppy, we wanted to make sure Jay is in tip top shape, and up to date with all his vaccinations etc before moving. So the other day Lucas and I took him on a little trip to the vet. He was <b>sooo</b> good, bless him. It had been a while since he had been in a car. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahtlCZ3qg6Q/Ux0uajAyBwI/AAAAAAAAZJc/js7TyOdfI8I/s1600/IMG_5984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahtlCZ3qg6Q/Ux0uajAyBwI/AAAAAAAAZJc/js7TyOdfI8I/s1600/IMG_5984.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Yesterday we took him on his last walk with us along the familiar back roads. It was really nice, since it had been a little while since we last went talking. <br />The family where he will be going really enjoy their jungle walks, so I'm sure he'll be getting a lot of nice exercise there too!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc25UIj1urk/Ux0yty3eXoI/AAAAAAAAZKY/r5hfEJvkCCg/s1600/IMG_6110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc25UIj1urk/Ux0yty3eXoI/AAAAAAAAZKY/r5hfEJvkCCg/s1600/IMG_6110.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0LeXslwZGc/Ux0vBLXjNVI/AAAAAAAAZKE/CydKm8UjggA/s1600/IMG_6108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0LeXslwZGc/Ux0vBLXjNVI/AAAAAAAAZKE/CydKm8UjggA/s1600/IMG_6108.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gbzyHr_uEkk/Ux0vSvHXnhI/AAAAAAAAZKM/0YD35Px1awI/s1600/IMG_6112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gbzyHr_uEkk/Ux0vSvHXnhI/AAAAAAAAZKM/0YD35Px1awI/s1600/IMG_6112.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-20517375539902082942014-03-10T10:53:00.006+08:002014-03-11T12:53:43.634+08:00The quickest Singapore visitThis weeked the kids and I had to go to Singapore, due to some admin stuff. It was probably the strangest SIN trip we've ever done... can you believe, we went to IKEA - without buying ANYTHING! :D<br /><br />Ha ha, yes: IKEA. Well, we went over on the evening flight on Friday and back on the morning flight on Sunday, so we literally only had one day there. All we really wanted to do, was see our friends the Roses and say goodbye for now. I asked the kids what they wanted to do with them, and they both asked to go to IKEA for lunch!<br />It suited quite well, since Nathan was going back to <i>his</i> IKEA yesterday to get some more things for our arrival, so then we could tell him what we had picked out, and he could get just that!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdWctcbsRx0/Ux0ccgo5ylI/AAAAAAAAZIA/ysa6fpsUyxU/s1600/IMG_6040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdWctcbsRx0/Ux0ccgo5ylI/AAAAAAAAZIA/ysa6fpsUyxU/s1600/IMG_6040.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz9GBbClhPM/Ux0cv4cYYWI/AAAAAAAAZIQ/1VsmWWppFf4/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz9GBbClhPM/Ux0cv4cYYWI/AAAAAAAAZIQ/1VsmWWppFf4/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />They now have Swedish pick n' mix in IKEA! Fab! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LX8EA2RWQ0/Ux0cfN2nZ9I/AAAAAAAAZII/ql_i20rexbQ/s1600/IMG_6050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LX8EA2RWQ0/Ux0cfN2nZ9I/AAAAAAAAZII/ql_i20rexbQ/s1600/IMG_6050.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Apart from our little morning IKEA excursion, we just hang about at their Condo. Ashley was teething so she wasn't really in a good mood at all, apart from right here, when I managed to snap a quick photo of her smiling: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QZm3oQ5xRo/Ux0c5BScc0I/AAAAAAAAZIg/HfyuHsxWLOU/s1600/IMG_6053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QZm3oQ5xRo/Ux0c5BScc0I/AAAAAAAAZIg/HfyuHsxWLOU/s1600/IMG_6053.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViaiVGc28T0/Ux0cwLJ2blI/AAAAAAAAZIU/0TlwLtoT0Ro/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViaiVGc28T0/Ux0cwLJ2blI/AAAAAAAAZIU/0TlwLtoT0Ro/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />We also took the kids for a swim in their pool, but it all was a bit much for Luca in the end:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eekDxmhOyiQ/Ux0c7eD93pI/AAAAAAAAZIo/JBbUfsdceWw/s1600/IMG_6058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eekDxmhOyiQ/Ux0c7eD93pI/AAAAAAAAZIo/JBbUfsdceWw/s1600/IMG_6058.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Some nice Indian dinner by the pool, aaahhh... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4eLo3MpLOk/Ux0htp6ZRbI/AAAAAAAAZI8/BfKUVmtjOZo/s1600/IMG_6063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4eLo3MpLOk/Ux0htp6ZRbI/AAAAAAAAZI8/BfKUVmtjOZo/s1600/IMG_6063.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />After enjoying a few hours in my favourite airport Changi, we took our very last flight back <b>HOME</b> to Brunei, with RBA. Next time we're on a plane, we're out of here for good... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heE6Wi_FX40/Ux0dHFktuLI/AAAAAAAAZIw/gJ27dg57TR8/s1600/IMG_6066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heE6Wi_FX40/Ux0dHFktuLI/AAAAAAAAZIw/gJ27dg57TR8/s1600/IMG_6066.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hKQ0QIDs0E/Ux0ndnKQQxI/AAAAAAAAZJM/QB1l8WafgaQ/s1600/IMG_6068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hKQ0QIDs0E/Ux0ndnKQQxI/AAAAAAAAZJM/QB1l8WafgaQ/s1600/IMG_6068.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-39905643777105255422014-03-07T14:55:00.000+08:002014-03-07T14:55:02.398+08:00Goodbye TurnersSo the farewells have started... ;(<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlONT-VL7Fk/UxlsbbTxwDI/AAAAAAAAZHY/kEXARblS9n8/s1600/IMG_5997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlONT-VL7Fk/UxlsbbTxwDI/AAAAAAAAZHY/kEXARblS9n8/s1600/IMG_5997.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnSoNDoMzik/Uxlsb-8ZA8I/AAAAAAAAZHc/pCUMnJODneQ/s1600/IMG_5998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnSoNDoMzik/Uxlsb-8ZA8I/AAAAAAAAZHc/pCUMnJODneQ/s1600/IMG_5998.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYN_Chc--1c/UxlsitZjoMI/AAAAAAAAZHo/MyILcbObpnI/s1600/IMG_5999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYN_Chc--1c/UxlsitZjoMI/AAAAAAAAZHo/MyILcbObpnI/s1600/IMG_5999.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvSp3k44SIs/UxlsvtTAWpI/AAAAAAAAZHw/d8Kyd_yGIaw/s1600/IMG_6001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvSp3k44SIs/UxlsvtTAWpI/AAAAAAAAZHw/d8Kyd_yGIaw/s1600/IMG_6001.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-9674432697661818722014-03-07T14:34:00.003+08:002014-03-07T15:26:35.815+08:00The Leaving AssemblySo, today was the morning I had dreaded for a while - the Leaving Assembly...<br />Considering I've been crying in every Leaving Assembly I've ever been to, for other kids and their parents, I thought I would bawl my eyes out this morning too. Luckily Tash came well prepared:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i29wx8KD50E/UxlpIQ948SI/AAAAAAAAZHM/KxWd6p1Jonk/s1600/IMG_4412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i29wx8KD50E/UxlpIQ948SI/AAAAAAAAZHM/KxWd6p1Jonk/s1600/IMG_4412.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br />I did shed a few tears before the Assembly, just thinking about it - but when it was actually time for the goodbyes, I didn't cry at all! It was actually all just very lovely.<br /><br />Lucas' teacher Mrs Rickell talked about how he has always entertained the class, sometimes a bit loudly..., about his amazing performance in their class assembly earlier this year and how it's a great loss to this school, but that the school in Abu Dhabi should be happy to get this talented boy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ5mM8VgTNs/Uxld6Y0tv-I/AAAAAAAAZE0/RZCHo2d7ZH4/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ5mM8VgTNs/Uxld6Y0tv-I/AAAAAAAAZE0/RZCHo2d7ZH4/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrwZyTKMyME/UxlelsMmD-I/AAAAAAAAZFM/29gDxBjVRtU/s1600/IMG_4418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrwZyTKMyME/UxlelsMmD-I/AAAAAAAAZFM/29gDxBjVRtU/s1600/IMG_4418.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br />Lucas had his two good friends Nick and Daniel with him to say a few words. This was Nick's speech:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--csFq2XyPcU/UxlebcEnmPI/AAAAAAAAZFE/XR0qLMqStpQ/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--csFq2XyPcU/UxlebcEnmPI/AAAAAAAAZFE/XR0qLMqStpQ/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>"To Lucas, You have been a great friend over the past five years. My earliest memory of you is from Reception when we were both four years old. We have grown up a lot and we have had a great time, such as playing football tournaments in Panaga (…)&nbsp; and playing in a successful touch rugby team.<br />We have both had fun on some great trips, like the Y5 Miri trip and the trip to the OECD.<br />You have also had some very cool parties, like the Star Wars party and the Lego Movie party, which we all have very much enjoyed.<br />Not many people know that you are a fantastic clarinet player, I’m sure the people at your new school will reap your great talent.<br />We all will miss you because you are a great friend who is funny, smart, sporty, cool - and the best of all, friendly. Good luck in your new school."<br /><br />And this was Daniel's speech:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvnCmFM6hpE/UxlfAhi0irI/AAAAAAAAZFU/EbvteA_Tef8/s1600/IMG_4422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvnCmFM6hpE/UxlfAhi0irI/AAAAAAAAZFU/EbvteA_Tef8/s1600/IMG_4422.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>"Lucas, <br />You have been my best friend ever since Kindergarten. (…) I wish you all the best in Abu Dhabi and I hope you make lots of good friends in the future. It has been a pleasure being your friend."<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then he got the JIS bear, a laminated memento from his class, and a big handshake from his teacher!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo0ShCI_oLI/UxlfUoYLvAI/AAAAAAAAZFk/6dfGAlbS2D0/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo0ShCI_oLI/UxlfUoYLvAI/AAAAAAAAZFk/6dfGAlbS2D0/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NSz3-RoSFyo/UxlfpDX9X1I/AAAAAAAAZFs/m0UyhR1V32g/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NSz3-RoSFyo/UxlfpDX9X1I/AAAAAAAAZFs/m0UyhR1V32g/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br />Mrs Fowler-Watt also talked about Linnea's performance as Mrs Flower-Pot in <b>their</b> class assembly. She also said how she was going to miss Linnea's big smile and good sense of humour.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AuDJvC9C78/Uxlf2y0mosI/AAAAAAAAZF0/wMz3ItrevZg/s1600/IMG_4428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AuDJvC9C78/Uxlf2y0mosI/AAAAAAAAZF0/wMz3ItrevZg/s1600/IMG_4428.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />Linnea hadn't been able to choose, so she had her three best friends with her. Ben's words: <br />"I’ve known you for about seven years. I hope you will make new friends in Abu Dhabi. I will miss you but I will visit you."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bW_JP0Vo2kg/UxlgN3-jm3I/AAAAAAAAZGI/WExrQMmLm7g/s1600/IMG_4429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bW_JP0Vo2kg/UxlgN3-jm3I/AAAAAAAAZGI/WExrQMmLm7g/s1600/IMG_4429.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />Emily's words:<br />"Linnea, You have been my friend for the past six years. You were the second person I met at JIS. You have been kind to me and we have played together and had lots of fun, especially at parties. <br />This year I have loved talking to you in class but it has been hard these last few months as Mrs Fowler-Watt has found out that we love talking and separated us!<br />Always remember I have great memories of our time together. Have a nice time in Abu Dhabi."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLj8Zs2SMtY/UxlgewgO8KI/AAAAAAAAZGQ/2iEQiW74XBU/s1600/IMG_4431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLj8Zs2SMtY/UxlgewgO8KI/AAAAAAAAZGQ/2iEQiW74XBU/s1600/IMG_4431.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />Gemma's words:<br />"Dear Linnea, You have been y best friend since Kindy Panda and you are not going to be my neighbour anymore. But when I come visit you for a week we can go to Kidzania 1 hour drive away, or to Ferrari World with the roller coasters. I will be lonely but I am lucky I will visit you. I hope you have a lovely time in Abu Dhabi, but I will give all of you a big warning - she is coming back."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhngqK7GRVU/UxlhId-fYOI/AAAAAAAAZGY/8LqtMHKMmh4/s1600/IMG_4432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhngqK7GRVU/UxlhId-fYOI/AAAAAAAAZGY/8LqtMHKMmh4/s1600/IMG_4432.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then she got her highly anticipated JIS bear, and it was luckily all over. It was a really nice goodbye for them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c45kuvGWM74/Uxlhiu44ceI/AAAAAAAAZGs/qfULnjj4I08/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c45kuvGWM74/Uxlhiu44ceI/AAAAAAAAZGs/qfULnjj4I08/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXZqcPfwdYo/UxlhO2-70TI/AAAAAAAAZGg/N4eIpHzqhsg/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXZqcPfwdYo/UxlhO2-70TI/AAAAAAAAZGg/N4eIpHzqhsg/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br />Happy kids, they just love the limelight!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3eOhtB54so/UxlhxQV90UI/AAAAAAAAZG0/_nkaDpD7u84/s1600/IMG_4438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3eOhtB54so/UxlhxQV90UI/AAAAAAAAZG0/_nkaDpD7u84/s1600/IMG_4438.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br />I did cry after the assembly though... and when watching the videos I took... and now while I'm blogging this... Just a touch emotional at the moment I guess...MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-89956024566782950152014-03-05T13:58:00.003+08:002014-03-05T18:21:40.348+08:00Sport Relief Run 2014Yesterday the kids were dressed in red and white (<i>well, sort of</i>) for another fundraising event at school - the <a href="http://www.sportrelief.com/event-info/sainsburys-sport-relief-mile">Sport Relief 1 mile run</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/media/1761021/sport_relief_round_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/media/1761021/sport_relief_round_2014.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></div><br />They've done this once before,<a href="http://watsonbrunei.blogspot.com/search?q=sport+relief"> two years ago</a>, and back then I remembered it being a <b>huge</b> event with lots of parents participating, and it was very festive. Yesterday, not many parents turned up at all unfortunately, and out of those who did, very few ran. <br />Me? I took pictures. :)<br /><br />It's an event organized by the British High Commission here, and the British High Commissioner himself was there to set the first run off. The little ones ran first and then they all followed after. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfxFKLjsPWg/Uxa5REDhwvI/AAAAAAAAZDk/6511kmqkFcM/s1600/IMG_4392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfxFKLjsPWg/Uxa5REDhwvI/AAAAAAAAZDk/6511kmqkFcM/s1600/IMG_4392.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />Happy faces before the run: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76oJ22gKYWk/Uxa6CkiFuDI/AAAAAAAAZD8/5M7XYw5_vxo/s1600/IMG_4396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76oJ22gKYWk/Uxa6CkiFuDI/AAAAAAAAZD8/5M7XYw5_vxo/s1600/IMG_4396.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrzG4tFLnxg/Uxa5_NVqaoI/AAAAAAAAZD0/s6Fkmck5JT4/s1600/IMG_4397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrzG4tFLnxg/Uxa5_NVqaoI/AAAAAAAAZD0/s6Fkmck5JT4/s1600/IMG_4397.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br />"Mr Beast" was there too - leading the warm-up:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-egIT3AjvXyc/Uxa6VxV4qCI/AAAAAAAAZEE/wSBwSxOE9tg/s1600/IMG_4402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-egIT3AjvXyc/Uxa6VxV4qCI/AAAAAAAAZEE/wSBwSxOE9tg/s1600/IMG_4402.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WSDmdivfDM/Uxa53FxKw3I/AAAAAAAAZDs/vLhFbmYMQII/s1600/IMG_4398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WSDmdivfDM/Uxa53FxKw3I/AAAAAAAAZDs/vLhFbmYMQII/s1600/IMG_4398.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then "Mr Beast" set off the run: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXOKtG1ECL0/Uxa6wnnhuWI/AAAAAAAAZEM/G6fukJqsIJc/s1600/IMG_4405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXOKtG1ECL0/Uxa6wnnhuWI/AAAAAAAAZEM/G6fukJqsIJc/s1600/IMG_4405.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />They ran two laps around the field and some of the school buildings. It was hot, hot, so well done! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohiq647EOLA/Uxa8FDY3NuI/AAAAAAAAZEk/hBOzWhYaJqo/s1600/IMG_4407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohiq647EOLA/Uxa8FDY3NuI/AAAAAAAAZEk/hBOzWhYaJqo/s1600/IMG_4407.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />- "Did you do one or two laps?"... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7MQdAcIkCM/Uxa7F1aYqYI/AAAAAAAAZEU/8-zgm4QnPs0/s1600/IMG_4410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7MQdAcIkCM/Uxa7F1aYqYI/AAAAAAAAZEU/8-zgm4QnPs0/s1600/IMG_4410.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDR4wX_wgso/Uxa7jt5707I/AAAAAAAAZEc/jIXdxhDfRkg/s1600/IMG_4411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDR4wX_wgso/Uxa7jt5707I/AAAAAAAAZEc/jIXdxhDfRkg/s1600/IMG_4411.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-47637122746686513642014-03-04T09:56:00.003+08:002014-03-04T09:56:32.481+08:00Mood boardsI'm not sure how many hours I've already spent on the wonderful page <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, especially in bed at night when I'm supposed to sleep... I'm creating all these different mood boards for our new house and it's very exciting.<br />The kids have been looking around too, and we have talked a lot about how they want their new rooms to look, now that they are becoming "tweenies", and might need more room to hang out, and not as much storage for toys as before.<br /><br />Linnea really really wants a loft bed, so we might look at that. As far as I remember it's high enough to the ceiling, so why not. She is also mostly interested in getting a proper desk, so we will make sure she gets one she likes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SR5SmWB-0KE/UxUxR2v77yI/AAAAAAAAZC4/pARhPeOWaNU/s1600/linneamoodboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SR5SmWB-0KE/UxUxR2v77yI/AAAAAAAAZC4/pARhPeOWaNU/s1600/linneamoodboard.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div><br />Lucas doesn't want a loft bed and he's adamant he doesn't want a small (<i>read: standard</i>) single bed, he wants a queen. This one below is quite nice, with storage in the headboard.<br />We also thought about putting sofa beds in their rooms, to make it easy for ourselves when they have friends who come on sleepovers. It would also be a cosy place to sit and read, or play video games.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hcl5Smx_IGM/UxUxSd28reI/AAAAAAAAZC8/WVy4I6xEiPU/s1600/lucasmoodboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hcl5Smx_IGM/UxUxSd28reI/AAAAAAAAZC8/WVy4I6xEiPU/s1600/lucasmoodboard.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-59654281115673880942014-03-03T23:38:00.000+08:002014-03-04T20:24:00.906+08:00Our new houseWhen we first moved here to Brunei, we started out in company accommodation, in Rimba. Back then it wasn't as fancy as it is now, there was no pool, no tennis courts, no playground - but we liked it, although the house was too small for us.<br /><br />We ended up staying there for 11 1/2 months, whilst searching for the perfect house. Of course, the longer we were here, the trickier it became because we saw more and more houses and got pickier and pickier. We saw over 100 houses - and I know that for a fact, because I listed all of them!<br /><br />We were <b>so</b> lucky finding this house, and we have been so very happy in it for the last 5+ years. I'll be sad to leave it, it's such a good house, truly ticked all the boxes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_lOTjxUJaQ/UxVkvxZsbgI/AAAAAAAAZDQ/H8i92CHEUZ0/s1600/IMG_5278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_lOTjxUJaQ/UxVkvxZsbgI/AAAAAAAAZDQ/H8i92CHEUZ0/s1600/IMG_5278.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Moving to Abu Dhabi is turning out to be a different story... There is not really any company accommodation, most people take the allowance and find their own place.<br />Nathan has been staying, as many other of his colleagues, in a hotel room since he got there. He changed hotels after a few weeks, but this current one is perfectly located and really nice, and he will be there until he moves into our house. Some single people never leave the hotels.<br /><br />It turned out we needed to find somewhere ASAP though, because until Nathan has a permanent residential address, he can't sponsor our visa applications... (<i>It's actually an even longer story and I won't bore you with all the details - all I can say is that the admin work involved when moving countries is always <b>crazy</b>!)</i><br />So our main mission during my flying visit a couple of weeks ago was to make a decision on a house. Nathan had already seen a few before I came, and we saw quite a few more while I was there. None of them really rocked my boat I must admit. Too big, too small, weirdly laid out, too old-fashioned, too expensive, too far from schools etc.<br /><br />We kept coming back and comparing them all to this one house we had seen already in December when we were here - the house of our friends from Brunei. They had told us there was a few units available still in their compound, and after we'd been looking around, it turned out those houses were very much the best choice, for us. We are a bit sorry we're bringing Brunei into their life again... but there you go!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlxMoAr7D1I/UwH4Id2s1PI/AAAAAAAAY3Q/QemwWV_meCw/s1600/32667811_CP_photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlxMoAr7D1I/UwH4Id2s1PI/AAAAAAAAY3Q/QemwWV_meCw/s1600/32667811_CP_photo.jpeg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7Rr-d8tY08/UwH4IO-C3II/AAAAAAAAY3E/8MVayHRDjFU/s1600/32258032_CP_photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7Rr-d8tY08/UwH4IO-C3II/AAAAAAAAY3E/8MVayHRDjFU/s1600/32258032_CP_photo.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />There are 34 houses in this compound, and they are all identical.<br />Downstairs there's a big hallway, a huge kitchen, a downstairs storage room (<i>it's really the Amah's room, but we'll have ours outside in what's really the driver's room</i>), downstairs toilet, big dining room/living room area; a paved area outside and a small grass patch:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AO48Z-P6FNs/UwH4IawIrcI/AAAAAAAAY3I/TbV_WRS3sZ4/s1600/32667819_CP_photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AO48Z-P6FNs/UwH4IawIrcI/AAAAAAAAY3I/TbV_WRS3sZ4/s1600/32667819_CP_photo.jpeg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here's looking from the living area in through the hallway and towards the front door, kitchen is on the right, and the stairs to upstairs on the left:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0y7FKP6jIk/UwH5DFPgNmI/AAAAAAAAY4U/kSNAIOpzDwU/s1600/IMG_5753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0y7FKP6jIk/UwH5DFPgNmI/AAAAAAAAY4U/kSNAIOpzDwU/s1600/IMG_5753.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here's looking the other way, at the living area, where we will have our sofas, and our TV on the wall to the right by the window. Behind the door to the right we will make a little "office" corner, with a very neat (!) desk and some storage: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Z4LSfV8-E/UwH4XArGfwI/AAAAAAAAY3c/_VmRtWNpSPM/s1600/IMG_5739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Z4LSfV8-E/UwH4XArGfwI/AAAAAAAAY3c/_VmRtWNpSPM/s1600/IMG_5739.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />This area is to the left, connected to the living area. We will have our dining table here, and some buffet tables or other forms of storage for glass ware etc. The doors open out to the paved patio area:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEoOtFoWJ-E/UwH4d0J3OvI/AAAAAAAAY3k/Zp7hWpFLy7o/s1600/IMG_5740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEoOtFoWJ-E/UwH4d0J3OvI/AAAAAAAAY3k/Zp7hWpFLy7o/s1600/IMG_5740.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is also looking from the entrance, through the hallway and into the living area. The living room to the right and the dining room to the left, although it's actually one big room, but with two doors. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXg6fQp9lVk/UwH4empKVsI/AAAAAAAAY3s/vxWvSQOdDz4/s1600/IMG_5741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXg6fQp9lVk/UwH4empKVsI/AAAAAAAAY3s/vxWvSQOdDz4/s1600/IMG_5741.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Upstairs there are four <b>big</b> bedrooms, and they all have bathrooms with bathtubs! Plenty of space for visitors..! Lucas bid dibs on this one, because he liked the window nook:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uFaZbNDZ10/UwH4sM6JpyI/AAAAAAAAY30/40tTjfioQCk/s1600/IMG_5745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uFaZbNDZ10/UwH4sM6JpyI/AAAAAAAAY30/40tTjfioQCk/s1600/IMG_5745.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />So Linnea will get this one, which has a balcony instead. She was pretty happy with that. Both look out over the big empty area in front of the house, which is practical, so they can spot when their friends are out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrMmqrtFq5w/UwH4uPLPLfI/AAAAAAAAY38/4HqZsLyILX8/s1600/IMG_5746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrMmqrtFq5w/UwH4uPLPLfI/AAAAAAAAY38/4HqZsLyILX8/s1600/IMG_5746.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />The kitchen. Always comes without white goods, so we will need to get out and buy a cooker, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washing machine as soon as we get there. But the kitchen is nice, modern and roomy, and also looks out over the planned play area, which is good.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdqiqCjdVWI/UwH48atgeyI/AAAAAAAAY4M/jIdPXcOhfIE/s1600/IMG_5752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdqiqCjdVWI/UwH48atgeyI/AAAAAAAAY4M/jIdPXcOhfIE/s1600/IMG_5752.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />The hallway with the stairs to the second floor and a small under-the-stairs storage cupboard: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gevHlgM4JYU/UwH5MmKlpyI/AAAAAAAAY4c/cY3kagOuh3s/s1600/IMG_5754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gevHlgM4JYU/UwH5MmKlpyI/AAAAAAAAY4c/cY3kagOuh3s/s1600/IMG_5754.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />It's a brand new compound, so we will be the first people in our house. It's now the standard magnolia colour on the walls, so we've hired some handymen to paint it white for us before we move in. I want it as bright as possible.<br />As all the units have now (<i>just!</i>)&nbsp; been completed, they are going to concentrate on the common area: build a swimming pool, a gym and a playground. Could become really, really nice eventually!<br />I found a picture on how they are planning for the common area to look, although I can't really make out much what is what, apart from the pool of course:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lqTxwy0TG2k/UwQ2x8krPgI/AAAAAAAAY7c/BoUcFNuk1WM/s1600/IMG_5770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lqTxwy0TG2k/UwQ2x8krPgI/AAAAAAAAY7c/BoUcFNuk1WM/s1600/IMG_5770.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here's a screen shot from Google Earth where I've marked out approximately where our house is in relation to the schools we have been looking at. You can also see the airport to the right; IKEA in the top right corner on Yas Island as well as the hotel Park Inn where Nathan has been staying. <br />Downtown Abu Dhabi is to the left outside the picture, and Dubai is 50 minutes away following the motorway disappearing in the top right corner! :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgGy_dSYLxs/UxUwD8uknbI/AAAAAAAAZCs/bsCYTM17B6Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-04+at+09.43.34+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgGy_dSYLxs/UxUwD8uknbI/AAAAAAAAZCs/bsCYTM17B6Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-04+at+09.43.34+.png" height="433" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now the kids and I are busy making mood boards and shopping lists, it's very exciting getting to decorate a brand new house! And of course, guests are welcome!MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-20930496550154014702014-03-03T10:01:00.000+08:002014-03-03T10:05:27.401+08:00Let it goIt's stressful times right now as the moving preparations are a bit at a stand still, and that at this very crucial point. It's like a domino game, and I'm waiting for the first brick to fall so that the others can follow. It's all out of <b>my</b> control though, which is very, <b>very</b> frustrating.<br />I need to listen to Linnea when she sings <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk">her favourite song at the moment</a>, and just "let it go" and wait it out, before my tummy turns itself inside out... :/<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lifequotescollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lifequotescollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/723.jpg" height="400" width="201" /></a></div>MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-3482318645917692232014-03-02T19:44:00.002+08:002014-03-03T08:51:55.668+08:00Last dinner with the gangLast night we had the last dinner with "the gang". Although it was a bit decimated, since Ben and Andrew were flying and Kym and Jeremy weren't feeling that well. Turners are off to NZ this week already, so we had to do it before they go.<br /><br />Yummy, yummy oysters and "Bloody Mary oyster shots" for appetizers, Pip's seafood chowder for entree, Will's lamb for main and Anna's <i>kladdkaka</i> for dessert - mmm!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SpXZASEw44/UxMX5EhcdPI/AAAAAAAAZBU/qvJAaXJqD0Y/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SpXZASEw44/UxMX5EhcdPI/AAAAAAAAZBU/qvJAaXJqD0Y/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxf35lt7AZY/UxMX5IP4tlI/AAAAAAAAZBY/pfbveCJdw78/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxf35lt7AZY/UxMX5IP4tlI/AAAAAAAAZBY/pfbveCJdw78/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49WAE_2PMWQ/UxMX7RnPwiI/AAAAAAAAZB0/HPuaSn5w-tE/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49WAE_2PMWQ/UxMX7RnPwiI/AAAAAAAAZB0/HPuaSn5w-tE/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ2Ie1wJavc/UxMX7UlHrOI/AAAAAAAAZB4/5LCntj5OIhk/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ2Ie1wJavc/UxMX7UlHrOI/AAAAAAAAZB4/5LCntj5OIhk/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlM3a8S52Jg/UxMX8J-m17I/AAAAAAAAZCE/7rbHoqh1oeI/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlM3a8S52Jg/UxMX8J-m17I/AAAAAAAAZCE/7rbHoqh1oeI/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFG2BKIPoRk/UxMX9csq6eI/AAAAAAAAZCQ/I_hkTiwoeq8/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFG2BKIPoRk/UxMX9csq6eI/AAAAAAAAZCQ/I_hkTiwoeq8/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XwEtFwAETA/UxMX9NCDS3I/AAAAAAAAZCM/RH56pvFRbrE/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XwEtFwAETA/UxMX9NCDS3I/AAAAAAAAZCM/RH56pvFRbrE/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />The decorations were all in my honour, Tash had lost herself in the archives of the blog whilst finding the photos, and we all got a bit nostalgic remembering nice times:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8RhW_jQEpQ/UxMX5br5l6I/AAAAAAAAZBg/0yzURHYV6fI/s1600/IMG_0429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8RhW_jQEpQ/UxMX5br5l6I/AAAAAAAAZBg/0yzURHYV6fI/s1600/IMG_0429.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFuRXsDsErg/UxMX6SVFUlI/AAAAAAAAZBs/ab--1cd4tqM/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFuRXsDsErg/UxMX6SVFUlI/AAAAAAAAZBs/ab--1cd4tqM/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />It really sucks moving, but leaving the good life you've built for yourself and your family is even harder. Only two weeks to go.MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-6732776514930889702014-03-01T10:21:00.000+08:002014-03-01T13:46:28.307+08:00MarchIt's March. Our leaving month. Not long to go.<br />My mood is up and down on a daily basis right now, mostly down. It's becoming so sad, all these lasts... Here is a list of some of the things I'll miss when we leave:<br /><br />The jungle<br />The Yacht Club<br />The fact that someone fuels your car<br />The frog noises outside at night <br />The tasty, and yummy, sushi<br />My Tuesday night hashing<br />The jungle<br />Eating roti <br />All our friends - people make a place, that's for sure<br />The beach<br />The view from my breakfast table <br />Driving down Leburaya really fast<br />The friendly locals<br />Our house <br />The cheap cinema tickets<br />Maharanis, our local Indian restaurant <br />Jerudong International School - kids have had 6 1/2 <b>great</b> years there<br />That fuel is so cheap<br />My workout buddies<br />That you can park nearly anywhere<br />The jungle<br />That nobody smokes here, anywhere <br />The massive thunderstorms <br />The sea<br />Being able to hop on a plane and discover a new Asian country within hours <br />The Empire, and it's High Tea <br />The small and easily navigated airport<br />Fresh mango and papaya<br />My Zumba girls<br />The Kids Hash<br />Bukit Shabandar<br />Our dog(s)... :(<br />The cool breeze sometimes in the evenings<br />The power shower in our master bathroom and the bright light<br />The jungle<br />The luxury of having so much time, and space <br />Seeing familiar faces wherever I go (<i>Yes, actually! At least some days...</i>) <br />The Spit<br />The relaxed lifestyle<br />All the dress-up parties<br />Going on day trips to Singapore<br />Our local Thai, and the $5 Pad Thai<br />The heavy rains <br />The jungle<br />The monkeys in the trees by our house<br />The beautiful wooden floor in our house <br />All the oldies music on the radio<br />The Water FrontMrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-20967866521901157662014-02-26T18:03:00.004+08:002014-02-26T18:03:38.826+08:0024 school runsOh, we're already Wednesday and I totally forgot to sum up last week, which marked 2/3rds done! Man it's going far too fast now!! Only 24 more school runs to go!<br /><br />We are really cramming in <b>so</b> much in each day and each weekend, that every week feels like two! <br />I can't believe it was only last week Lucas was away on his three-day school trip to Miri; and I went to the dentist and to the doctor to have another vaccination shot. Plus the busy weekend I've already written about, it was really needed to have an extra day off.<br /><br />Now it's getting down to the last, very last few jobs to do. I'm kind of over it, but need to gear up I guess. Nearly there.MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2983913886453404173.post-52519289244045409312014-02-26T08:38:00.000+08:002014-03-01T13:46:56.031+08:00At the beachYesterday's hash was a beach run. It's was an A-B, which meant we got to walk/run nearly the whole length of the beach, before we found a bus that shipped back to the beginning.<br />I took my time, and walked the whole way, trying to enjoy the beach, the sea and the sunset as much as possible. I figured this was probably my last time properly down the beach here in Brunei.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12KOK62C-Po/Uwy4ivcWfxI/AAAAAAAAZA4/63YMM7wi3F8/s1600/IMG_5895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12KOK62C-Po/Uwy4ivcWfxI/AAAAAAAAZA4/63YMM7wi3F8/s1600/IMG_5895.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />We had been warned we would get a bit wet, and it sure got a bit adventurous in places where the water came up quite high, and we had to get around the cliffs getting out into the sea... = even I (<i>being rather tall</i>) got soaked all the way up to my waist!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gN7l-9u_vt4/Uwy4m2VMjhI/AAAAAAAAZBA/CYknJYWrO3k/s1600/IMG_5897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gN7l-9u_vt4/Uwy4m2VMjhI/AAAAAAAAZBA/CYknJYWrO3k/s1600/IMG_5897.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Another lovely Tuesday evening at the Hash. Only two more hashes to go... :(MrsWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03010214944851030805noreply@blogger.com0